best 44 mag??

[Walkalong]

Skip it imo. Pay the extra $100 for a nice 5.5" redhawk and never look back.

Yep.

I have had a couple of M-29s, and they are great guns, but the recoil is more manageable in the Redhawk and I have always come back to it.

 

[375supermag]

Hi...
I have several .44Magnum revolvers and shoot them all regularly.
While I hold my Model 29 in very high regard, I think the best .44Mag is my Dan Wesson, it is the best combination of accuracy and strength IMHO.
I also regularly shoot a Virginian Dragoon and a Super BlackHawk and while they are strong and accurate, my Dan Wesson gets the nod for accuracy over the others and will stand up better to a steady diet of heavy loads than my 29.
At one time I owned a Super Redhawk and it was about even with my Dan Wesson but it went away in a divorce and I have never gotten around to acquiring another.

 

[bluetopper]

The most expensive, stoutest, most accurate, best trigger, and the best in all categories, Freedom Arms.

 

[gotboostvr]

The most expensive, stoutest, most accurate, best trigger, and the best in all categories, Freedom Arms.

ALL categories?

What's the DA pull weight on one of those again?

 

[bluetopper]

ALL categories?

What's the DA pull weight on one of those again?

I don't shoot a 44 Mag in DA, don't really know anyone who does either.

 

[Valkman]

My choice is the S&W 629, simply because of the sweeeet trigger it has. Incredibly accurate too. May not be as robust as a Ruger but I don't load 'em too hot and actually got rid of a Ruger .454 because the trigger couldn't compare to the S&W.

I took a lot of knife pics with the gun, and here's one of those:

 

[CraigC]

As with most of these discussions, there is no "best". You make the "best" choice for your needs and do your "best" to become proficient with it. I started shooting the .44Mag with a brand new Redhawk at age 16. It's one of my favorite cartridges. That Redhawk has long been traded away but I've since added 12 more .44Mag's, along with several .44Spl's and .44Colt's. For me, there is no better than a short barreled Ruger Bisley. It strikes the perfect balance between portability, usable sight radius and is the most comfortable configuration for handling heavy recoil that I've ever used.

S&W makes a fine .44 but DA's tend to transmit more recoil straight back into the palm. This is alleviated somewhat by fitting the oversized Roper style grip, which despite common perception, has proven to be far superior to anything made in rubber.

As a pure hunting gun, I like a 7½" Bisley.....

...or the Super Redhawk.

 

[stoky]

All things on balance... the S&W Mountain Gun:

I've been shooting mine more since I put this handle on it:

This one is fun for dinging 100yd dongs:

 

[Varminterror]

Taurus's QC issues don't tend to be as prominent in the Raging line, although they do happen. QC slips happen for Ruger and Smith also, however.

The Raging Bull is sometimes touted to be as strong as the Ruger, but in inspection of my own, I would rank it for strength and durability on par with the 29/629. But mine is only in 454c.

 

[Mn Fats]

S&W makes a fine .44 but DA's tend to transmit more recoil straight back into the palm. This is alleviated somewhat by fitting the oversized Roper style grip, which despite common perception, has proven to be far superior to anything made in rubber.

Love those grips. The first thing I've done when buying a revolver is ditch the rubber and go on the hunt for the roper style. Look better, shoot better.

 

[Reloadron]

Of all revolvers, which one handles .44 magnum the best, with the most manageable recoil combined with high accuracy?

I really don't know. I have a S&W Model 29-5 I am fond of but also liked my Ruger Super Blackhawk guns. I will say the Model 29 with the target trigger is a pleasant enough gun to shoot. I did make one change the first time I shot it, I replaced the S&W wood with S&W Hogue rubber. That change alone made a big difference in how the gun behaved in my average size hand. The gun is also a little unique with the smooth cylinder, look Ma, no flutes.

I did save the wood in case I ever want to return to wood but with the 44 Remington Magnum and a stout load the rubber really cushions the shock when the gun fires. All of that said the main edge of the Model 29 over the Ruger is the trigger. Other than that I enjoy shooting both.

Ron

 

[gotboostvr]

Reloadron, normally I personally think rubber grips on blued revolvers just look wrong, if not goofy. But with the unfluted cylinder, your 29 looks real good.

I'm with you that I'm not a big fan of most S&W wood stocks. I just prefer third party wood over third party rubber.

 

[Reloadron]

Reloadron, normally I personally think rubber grips on blued revolvers just look wrong, if not goofy. But with the unfluted cylinder, your 29 looks real good.

I'm with you that I'm not a big fan of most S&W wood stocks. I just prefer third party wood over third party rubber.

I agree as to the gun does look better, to my eye anyway, with wood. Thus, I kept the wood but as to shooting? The wood stung my hands so I went with the rubber. I like to convince myself it was a reasonable trade off. I know I had that gun in 1990 when I married my wife so its been here awhile. Aesthetics aside it is still a hard call between the Model 29 and Super Redhawk. I guess my reply to the original poster would be try and get the opportunity to shoot and try a few different makes and models of 44 Remington Magnum and see what is comfortable to yourself. I know a good number of people who bought a 44 Magnum, shot the gun once and a week later were selling it.

Ron

 

[gotboostvr]

The power level of the 44mag loads I shoot is such that I'm not worried about my 629 breaking down. They're 240gr XTP's over a less than max load of 4227. They're moving, but they're not flame throwers.

The load is very accurate and I've never had less than full penetration of the Ohio Whitetails I've shot with it. I see no need to load them any faster.

If I felt like I needed more speed I'd almost certainly look into a Ruger Redhawk or Blackhawk, but in a larger caliber probably. One of the new 454 Bisley Blackhawks looks real tempting to me.

 

[cfullgraf]

Wood grips can be very attractive on any revolver. Trouble is, I can't shoot a revolver with wood grips worth a flip.

So, my revolvers get a pair of rubber grips, even single action guns. Mostly Pachmayrs but also some Hogues.

It is a good thing that there are lots of choices for grips so that everyone can be happy.

 

[PapaG]

In order, Freedom Arms, Super Blackhawk, Redhawk, 29. My two cents. Based in order of my experience factoring in strength, accuracy, comfort and durability.

 

[CraigC]

Wood grips can be very attractive on any revolver. Trouble is, I can't shoot a revolver with wood grips worth a flip.

So, my revolvers get a pair of rubber grips, even single action guns. Mostly Pachmayrs but also some Hogues.

It is a good thing that there are lots of choices for grips so that everyone can be happy.

Problem is that most factory wood grips are crap, SA or DA. I guarantee you'll find more comfort in a proper custom wood grip than anything made of rubber.

 

[Mn Fats]

Problem is that most factory wood grips are crap, SA or DA. I guarantee you'll find more comfort in a proper custom wood grip than anything made of rubber.

CraigC, I'm with ya. People who advocate rubber believe it soakes up a great deal of recoil, shock etc. It doesn't. In fact, it tends to stick and bite. A good wood grip that fits ones hand not only looks better, but it performs better as well. I've seen guys try to fight Ruger Super Blackhawk's with rubber, instead of accepting the design and letting it "roll" in the hand. Just one example. Sorry to get off topic.

 

[GBExpat]

I am currently jonesing for a S&W 69 (L-frame stainless 5-shot 4+"barrel)... CDNN has them on-sale for $700.

Hopefully, I will be able to resist the temptation until Monday at 12:00:01pm.

 

[MaxP]

The most expensive, stoutest, most accurate, best trigger, and the best in all categories, Freedom Arms.

Most expensive definitely, stoutest, well behind the BFR, but there are a number of .44 Mags produced that can handle every iteration of .44 Mag loads. Most accurate, maybe not as again, I have yet to meet a BFR that didn't shoot and Magnum Research actually fits their revolvers with match grade barrels. I like FA's, have owned a few in my time, and have one now, but I don't care for the fact that it is effectively a four-shot revolver as you can't safely carry them with a round under the hammer. They do have the best fit and finish though, but they should considering the price point. Just wish they would build them in carbon steel, as I would own a bunch of them.

 

[buck460XVR]

It's readily apparent to me from reading this thread, that the best .44 mag is the one that each poster owns.(or Joneses for) Same for the grips on them or the type of action they have. Over the years I have had many different brands, action types and barrel lengths. The ones I didn't think were "the best" went down the road. Odds are someone else has them now and considers them the best for them. Odds are, we are both correct. While I have groomed my handgun collection over the years to fit my needs and preferences, there are still some I'd like to have, but either can't afford them or consider them not worth their asking price. This still makes what I have, the "best" for me.

When I first started with handguns some 45 years ago, I got what was cheap, what others had or one of the few the LGS had in stock. Back then selection, variety and availability were not anything like now, and choices were much easier to make. Nowadays with what's out there and what LGS's have in the gun counter, even when I'm not in the market for one, I constantly look at them, and have the salesclerk pull them outta the case so I can fondle them. This type of interaction and years of shooting handguns has shown me what feels good in my hand, what grips and action type suit my needs and what tends to be most accurate and pleasant to shoot. Very few of the handguns I have left are those most recommended to me. Basically they are the 6" 686, the 5" 629 and my Government 1911. All are regularly shot, but none are the ones I carry and hunt with the most. In other words, you are the only one that can really determine which is the "best" for you. Only you knows the amount of recoil that is "tolerable" or what makes a handgun "pleasant or you to shoot. Folks here have given a gambit of firearms that are the "best" for them. For the most part it took time and shooting them often over s period of time to determine that. Any of the suggestions might be the best for you, even the Taurus. One also needs to consider their economics and price points and compare them to what their needs are. Someone who needs daily protection against Dangerous game will probably invest more monies in a firearm than someone who needs a "woods" gun for a once a year day hike in the Smoky Mountains. The "Raging Bull" series from Taurus seems to have a better overall acceptance than the entry level handguns they offer. If adding $100 to the price of a firearm is a major barrier, they may be a viable option for you. What kind of holster one has and how a gun is carried makes a big difference for woods carry. How you are planning to carry should be a consideration.

Go to some gun shops, play with some .44s. Handle everyone you can and find one that you really like. Trust your own instincts and be secure with your own choices. Remember, you are buying this gun for yourself, not for someone here. Seems many folks need acceptance from others before they feel they made the right choice. Ain't necessarily so. If you become an avid handgunner, odds are there will be more .44s and other calibers in your future. One can resell/trade one gun for another also if desires and needs change, or if one finds they just don't like what they have. Your first .44 handgun is like one's first Birddog. A learning experience and should be looked at in that same way. Many folks run out and buy a .44 mag just to have one and then either put in in the sock drawer forever or sell it after a box or two of ammo, even after getting the gun recommended to them. Don't be "that guy".

 

[Walkalong]

The Astras can be found very reasonable sometimes and are fine guns.

 

[Reloadron]

That's a pretty gun, right fine looking!

Ron

 

[ECVMatt]

I love my Rugers and have a few. I really like the Redhawk and have owned one for 30 years now. I can't tell you how much it has been shot, but it is still as good as the day I bought it. I have a Alaskan SR and it is really smooth. It is handy and surprisingly accurate. Recently I have added a Smith 69 and it is great! I put X Frame grips on it and it shoots really well. It has superseded the Alaskan as my woods carry gun. I really like the size, weight, and accuracy. I think the 69 in a chesty would be pretty ideal.

 

[red rick]

I have a Ruger Redhawk 4" with a Guides Choice chest holster . If I were doing it again and going to use a chest rig , I would get the Redhawk 5.5" barrel .